About This Project

A 15–30 minutes craft for ages 7–12, using supplies you likely already have — Scissors, Pencils, and Disposable Plates.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:
Project Tags
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

    Do you have everything you need?
    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
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    A cartoon of Scissors
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Pencils
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Disposable Plates
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Craft Sticks
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Construction Paper
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Washi Tape
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Glue Sticks
    Unknown cupboard quantity You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Easy Popsicle Stick Pencil Holder

    Your creative buddy says:
    "I can't wait to make a project with you!"

    Step 1: Decorate your popsicle sticks

    Take each of your 16 large popsicle sticks. Wrap them with colorful washi tape. Make sure to press the tape down flat and trim any extra bits around the edges. You can use different colors and patterns of tape to make them look super cool!

    Step 2: Prepare your paper strip

    Get a piece of construction paper. Ask a grown-up to help you cut a long strip from the paper. Make sure the strip is a little bit taller than your popsicle sticks. You can fold the paper first to help make a straight line before cutting.

    Step 3: Glue sticks to the paper

    Lay your paper strip flat. Use your glue stick to put glue on the paper. Place your decorated popsicle sticks side-by-side across the paper strip. Leave a little bit of paper sticking out from the bottom of the sticks, about half an inch. Press the sticks down firmly and let the glue dry completely before you touch them again.

    Step 4: Make a circle with your sticks

    Once the glue is dry, ask a grown-up to help you make small cuts along the bottom edge of the paper strip, between each popsicle stick. These cuts should be about half an inch apart. Now, carefully bring the ends of the paper strip together to form a circle. Glue the ends of the paper together so that all the popsicle sticks touch each other in a circle shape.

    Step 5: Add the bottom to your pencil holder

    Take your paper plate. Place the circle of popsicle sticks on the paper plate and use your pencil to trace around the bottom of the circle. Ask a grown-up to help you cut out the paper plate circle. Make sure this circle is small enough so you can't see it from the outside of your pencil holder. Put lots of glue on the paper plate circle and stick it to the bottom of your popsicle stick circle. You can use the eraser end of your pencil to press it down firmly. Let the glue dry for a long time until it's super strong!
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Pencils
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Disposable Plates
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Disposable plates may be compostable or recyclable! Do your part to keep trash out of the landfill.
    • A cartoon of Craft Sticks
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Construction Paper
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Washi Tape
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Glue Sticks
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Put cap on glue sticks tightly.
    • A cartoon of Scissors
      Where they belong:

    Update what we have left

    Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.
  4. 4

    Save

    Your creative buddy says:
    "Way to stick with it!"

    Made something awesome? Keep going.

    Your first project is free. Create your free GlueStick account to keep making — and discover projects you can do with the supplies you already have.

Upcycle supplies you already have in a flash

Snap a photo of your recycling bin, junk drawer, or fridge and GlueStick finds projects you can make right now with the supplies you already have — no store trip, no expensive kits, just more creative afternoons together.

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